Spirit A350 assembly site in France currently at 4 shipsets/month rate.

After difficult beginnings with his client Airbus in Montoir, American Spirit looks to the future with serenity. The opportunity to open its doors, to show its know-how and to express themselves freely.

In an interview with Jean-Christophe Danieau, Director of Spirit France since last October, it is revealed some details concerning Montoir site where the assembly of the centre fuselage panels received by boat the panels manufactured in Kinston USA is completed.

After completing the assembly (20m. long x 6m. in diameter) , the centre fuselage subassy is delivered to Airbus.

Spirit invested 20 million euros in the assembly site in 2010. Currently, with 2 assembly lines the site has 120 employees and is considering to hire 15 additional blue-collars before end of the year. 12.000 m2 close to the site is ready for future expansion if required.

The company has delivered to Airbus, last week, his 42nd central section fuselage.

Currently the assembly rate is 4 shipments per month, it will be 5 at the end of the year, 7 by next year and 10 per month in 2017.

Based in the article “Aéronautique. Spirit gagne en confiance et s'ouvre au public” published in Ouest-France.

TAM will fly with its A350s to Miami and to Madrid in 2016.

Brazilian TAM will deploy the 1st Airbus A350-900 on a domestic route as soon as it is delivered next December.

Source: Frenchpainter

In January/2016, it will fly the aircraft domestically between São Paulo Guarulhos and Manaus.

Source: Airbus

In March 2016, TAM will begin São Paulo Guarulhos-Miami A350 flights.

In April 2016, it will start Guarulhos-Madrid A350 service.

Source: Airbus

TAM will be the 1st airline in the Americas to operate the A350 and A350 pilots are currently flying its A330s. They will go through 60 days of training on the A350, which will take place both in flight and on the ground.

Based on the article “Brazil’s TAM to fly A350 to Miami and Madrid in 2016” published in ATW

Main improvements of the A350-1000 comparing the baseline A350-900

The changes to A350-1000 compared to A350-900 are described in this figure below:

The A350-1000, while essentially a stretch of the -900, will incorporate a number of aerodynamic and structural differences – including a 6-wheel main landing-gear and a larger trailing edge.

It will also have several other enhancements including greater use of composites in the fuselage frames and pylon, and electric landing-gear doors.

The A350-1000 is building on all the knowledge and data that Airbus has gathered on the A350-900.

With this experience and knowledge, Airbus has taken the chance to go one step further in a number of areas to gain further weight and reliability advantages for A350-1000, as shown in this picture:

Primary areas of improvements are:

• Airbus is increasing the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic content of the aircraft gaining both weight and cost advantages by means of reduced structural maintenance requirements.
•  Fuselage door surrounds and a portion of the fuselage frames were made with Titanium and Aluminium on A350-900. This will now be changed to CFRP.

• Airbus has also done some other improvements. The bilge area below the cargo floor has got a new frame support structure and the aircraft’s nose landing gear doors are now electrically instead hydraulically actuated, simplifying door installation and maintenance.
• Finally there are a number of clean ups on the electrical side with simpler solutions for the A350-1000, requiring fewer  connections, something that saves both weight and sources of future trouble.

Airbus is also working hard on increasing the cabins passenger carrying capability.

Based on the article “Airbus Innovation days: A350-1000 getting real” published in Leeham News.

Cathay 1st long-haul service with A350 to Auckland in May/2016.

With the first delivery planned for February/2016, Cathay Pacific Airways will set Auckland, New Zealand to become the first destination when A350´s long-haul operation starts in May/2016.

The initial year of A350 operation with Cathay will also see the aircraft being used to right-size its European route network, launch new long-haul thin routes while providing incremental growth opportunities for its constrained Australian operation.

Source: Airbus

From February to May/2016, Cathay plans 3 months of regional deployment for crew familiarisation and the build-up of engineering station support readiness that will see Manila, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, Singapore, Osaka Kansai, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam amongst the first cities receiving the carbon-fiber composite jet.

Source: Manuel Belleli

The A350-900 will be configured with 38 New Business Class, 28 New Premium Economy Class and 214 New Economy Class seats.

The current focus at the airline is the introduction of the A350-900 into its fleet, whose 1st full flight simulator (FFS) has been installed at the Flight Training Centre in the last week of May and the fuselage sections of its first example, MSN029, arrived at Airbus’s final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse on 29th May.

Cathay Pacific will receive 12 A350-900 on order in 2016 and the remaining 10 in 2017, which will feature the FB2+ New Business Class seats with customization by Germany’s Porsche Design Group, improved table and personal television positions; in-flight Wi-Fi; and a new Economy tray service, before deliveries of 26 A350-1000s begin in 2018.

Based on the article “Cathay Pacific plans May/2016 long-haul debut of A350” published in Aspire Aviation

Cathay Pacific's 1st A350 in S40. Final Assembly

Assembly of the 1st A350-900 for Cathay Pacific Airways is progressing well at Airbus’ A350 XWB Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France.

Following the fuselage section joining phase, the wings, the horizontal and vertical tailplane as well as tail cone have been joined to the fuselage. 

Source: Airbus

The MSN29's vertical tailplane is not painted in the Cathay logo yet.

Source: Journal Aviation

Following this, the aircraft will move to the next assembly station for structural completion, ground testing and start of cabin installation.

Source: designerjet

The aircraft is scheduled for delivery early next year and will be the 1st of 48 A350 XWBs acquired by Cathay Pacific. 

Source: Flynewsmagazine

Cathay Pacific’s A350 XWB fleet will include 22 A350-900s and 26 of the larger A350-1000s, for operation on long- and medium-haul services.

Based on the press release " First A350 XWB for Cathay Pacific is taking shape"

A350 starts commercial operation by Vietnam Airlines.

Vietnam Airlines has officialy put the new aircraft A350 into operation on the route between Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The first 2 flights of the new aircraft were offered free of charge for active Gold and Platinum members of the LotuSmiles program, partners and agents of Vietnam Airlines in Vietnam.

Joining in the 2 first flights VN231 (Ha Noi - Ho Chi Minh City) and VN240 (Ho Chi Minh City - Ha Noi) on last 3/July, the passengers were able to experience premium experience with modern facilities of A350 and 4-star services for both Business and Economy Classes.

Beside those 2 first flights offered for free, Vietnam Airlines also have gifts for all passengers on the next 14 flights of this A350, including children backbags for Ha Noi - Ho Chi Minh City flights and sets of travel pillows for Ho Chi Minh City - Ha Noi flights.

Based on the press release “Vietnam Airlines officially put the new A350 into operation”

Finnair and Rolls Royce agree TotalCare maintenance service for A350 fleet

Finnair has awarded Rolls-Royce a long-term contract to service the engines on its new Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB engines are used exclusively for the Airbus A350 XWB and the agreement brings Finnair's entire A350 XWB fleet under Rolls Royce's service package.

Known as a TotalCare agreement, it will see Rolls-Royce maintain the Derby-built engines throughout their service life.

Finnair said it has firm orders for 19 A350 XWB aircraft, the first 4 of which are expected to arrive in the fleet in this year, with another 7 in 2016 and 2017. The complete order will be fulfilled by 2023.

Source: Quentin Douchet

Jari Huhtinen, Finnair's vice-president of technical operations, said: "The world-class engine servicing offered by Rolls-Royce is one important element in maintaining the reliability record that Finnair is known for. The contract also helps us effectively manage the life cycle costs of the engines."

Bruce Blythe, Rolls-Royce's senior vice-president of customers (civil large engines), said: "We welcome Finnair as a new TotalCare customer. We look forward to providing services that will help ensure Finnair is fully supported through its A350 XWB entry into service and beyond."

Based on the article “Rolls-Royce wins servicing contract from Finnair” published in Wall Street Journal.